Page 211 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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CHAPTER THIRD.

* Turkish Expedition into Nejd and Hasa, 1871-72.

49. We bavo scon that Abdullah succeeded Feysal as Amir of Nejd,
Abdullah bin Feysal’s character was never such
Ori^i" of llio Expedition.
as to win him much affection from the warlike
Domad tribes, who constitute the fighting power of Nejd. In < arlv manhood,
when heir apparent and practically regent for his blind father, he shewed some
energy and ability as a leader of raids, but what popularity he then enjoyed
was far exceeded by that of his brother Sand, the beau-ideal of an Arab
prince-^handsome, reckless, frank and open-handed. On their father Peysal’s
death in 1SC5, the inevitable contest began between the brothers for the
Amirship. It lasted until 1870, when Abdullah, finally defeated, sought the
aid of the bated, and, as the Wahabis of Nejd bold, in fidel Turks. The result
was that a 'iurkhh expedition under Midhut Pasha, Valiof .Baghdad, proceed­
ing from Basrah by sea, occupied, with Abdullah’s aid, the Hasa District of
the Nejdean Principality.
First report of intended Expedition.

49-A.. Some rumour of an intended expedition reached the Indian Govern­
ment in the beginning of 1871, and
secret I., 1871, Noa. 5S1-G5S (No 581).
Colonel Herbert was asked by telegraph
on the 17th February whether it was trui that the Ottoman Government were
preparing a force at Baghdad with the view of occupying positions on the
Arabian Coast. He replied that there was apparently no foundation for the
rumour, and that no troops wore available for such a purpose; he would report
immediately if any such design was ascertained. Coionel Herbert at the same
time telegraphed to Her Majesty’s Ambassador at Constantinople, enquiring
whether, as rumoured in Baghdad, the Porte contemplated sending four ships
of war to the Persian Gulf, and whether there was any intention of occupying
positions therein. Ifc received a roply that the Porto denied all intention of
occupying positions in the Gulf, hut two of the vessels composing the Yemen
expedition were to be stationed between the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
Desigu of Expedition revived-

60. Cn the 27th March Colonel Herbert intimated by telegraph that*
.... ... .B9x under orders from Constantinople, an
' ' °' expedition w is about to he sent by land
and sea from Baghdad towards Nejd with tho view of supporting Abdullah.
He was asked in reply how the Turkish expedition by sea was to go, and at
what part of the Arab Coast it was proposed that it should land. His answer
was that it would go in one corvette and three unarmed steamers and in such
other vessels as could bo obtained, and that it would disembark at Katif or
Pamaurn.
Position of parties in Nqjd-

51. In consequence of this news, the Resident in the Persian Gulf was
instructed on the 2Sth March to telegraph
Ilid. (No. 686.)
the latest particulars about Wahabi
affairs and to describe the situation of the contending parties. It was ascer­
tained from him that the Wahabi Amir, Saud (brother of Abdullah), stil
held tho district of Hasa, with tho sea coast, and that he was about to move for
another battle with his brother. Abdullah was a fugitive. A letter from Colonel
Pelly, dated 11th March, contained substantially the samo intelligence.
• Tlo contanta of tills cliaptor aro maln'y ladobtcd to Major Ileiidcraon’a Trceit of the Eejd Expedition.
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